SSE Renewables are inviting hydro construction specialists from around the world to submit tenders for construction of the proposed pumped hydro storage scheme at Coire Glas, on the shores of Loch Lochy near Invergarry.

Coire Glas would be the first large-scale pumped hydro storage scheme to be built in the United Kingdom for more than 30 years and the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the main construction works has attracted global interest. Six shortlisted tenderers, who were selected following an extensive supply chain engagement process in 2021, will submit their first bids in April 2022.

Commencement of the ITT process, which will continue until winter 2023, enables SSE Renewables to plan engagement with businesses across the Lochaber and Highland regions to highlight the local supply chain opportunities the project will bring. The construction phase of the project is scheduled to commence in spring 2024 and, is expected to support up to 500 jobs.

The tendering process will consist of two stages ahead of a final decision on whether to proceed with construction of the scheme in late 2023.

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The return of tenders in April will complete the first stage. At this point one tenderer will be selected for the mechanical and electrical plant scope and two tenderers for the civil engineering scope. The selected tenderers will then progress to stage two, which is planned to run from July 2022 until autumn 2023, during which time extensive ground investigation works will be undertaken across the site. This work will enable the tenderers to refine their project designs. The selection of the preferred civils tenderer, who will work with the chosen mechanical and electrical tenderer to construct Coire Glas on a turnkey basis, is scheduled for autumn 2023.

The six tenderers shortlisted for the main construction works are:

For the civil engineering scope:

• Bechtel Ltd., Acciona Construcción S.A. and Webuild S.p.A consortium

• BAM Nuttall Ltd, Eiffage Génie Civil SA and Marti Tunnel AG consortium

• Dragados S.A and BeMo Tunnelling UK Ltd consortium

• STRABAG UK Ltd

For the mechanical and electrical plant scope:

• ANDRITZ HYDRO GmbH and Voith Hydro GmbH & Co KG partnership

• GE Hydro France

Ian innes project director for coire glas, welcomed the issuing of the it as a significant step forward for the development.

He said: "The tendering process is a vital step in putting together the plan to construct Coire Glas and we very much look forward to working with the tenderers over the coming months to understand their construction plans and ideas.

"The project has generated interest across the global supply chain which is underscored by the calibre of the shortlisted tenderers. Reaching this milestone so early in the refinement stage of the project is a huge achievement for the Coire Glas project team, and our engineering partners Stantec and COWI.

"SSE Renewables is passionate about providing opportunities for local businesses to join the supply chain on all our projects and Coire Glas is no exception. We are looking forward to engaging with the business community in Lochaber and across the Highlands to ensure there are meaningful opportunities for firms from the area to get involved."